How to Listen to Audio Tapes While Sleeping

Listening to audio tapes during sleep is not always effective.

People play audiotapes during sleep for a variety of reasons. Learning, improving sleep, drowning out traffic noises, playing religious sounds and improving memory are all possible uses for listening while sleeping. For example, you could use language-instruction audiotapes to assist in studying a foreign language, play white noise or soothing classical or New Age music to induce more restful slumber, or play prayers or mantras as part of spritual practice.

Put the audiotape in the tape player and turn it on. Allow the tape to play for a few minutes during your normal bedtime routine such as brushing your teeth or putting on nightclothes.

Lie down and relax. Listen to the audiotape for a moment, but do not focus on the audio enough to bring the mind to full alertness.

Allow your mind to relax completely. Fall asleep. It can take a few extra minutes to fall asleep while listening to an audiotape, especially during the first time. If it starts to take too long to sleep, change the audiotape to something that requires less focused attention. It is especially important to change the tape if your purpose in playing the audiotape is to aid your sleep.

Wake up and get on with the day. If the audiotape is for learning, listen to the tape during full consciousness. If you're using the tape to improve sleep you don't need to listen to it during waking hours. Listening to spiritual audio tapes during a state of full consciousness is based on personal preferences.

  • Some individuals will find that listening to audiotapes results in sleepless nights, especially those accustomed to nights without noise. If you have difficulty sleeping while listening to an audiotape, discontinue the practice.
  • These instructions will work equally well with other audio media, such as CDs or digital audio files.

Helen Jain has been writing online articles since December 2009 for various websites. She has studied English and psychology and hopes to get a Ph.D. in English in the future.

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